Mounts dispatch Lebanon in three-straight games

Ephrata leaned on its team leaders to guide the squad to a convincing 3-0 non-league victory over visiting Lebanon Monday night.

Senior co-captains Cody Rhinier and Jordan Shultz had a huge hand in the win. Rhinier served up five aces while the 6-4 Shultz was a force in serving and at the net, collecting 15 kills and five aces on the night to key the 25-3, 25-16, 25-12 victory.

"Both those guys are very experienced and it’s going to be tough losing them after this year," Ephrata Coach Bob Witwer said of his two captains.

Ephrata was in complete control in Game One, jumping out to a commanding 17-2 lead. A Shultz kills made it 23-3 a few minutes later before the senior hitter served out the 25-3 win.

In Game Two, a much more competitive one, Lebanon led early on before Cody Springer’s ace knotted it up at 12-12. Then with Clayton Kurtz serving, the Mounts gained control and took a 17-14 lead. Ephrata then closed it out with an 8-2 run to win 25-16.

Lebanon once again led early in Game Three, jumping out to a 4-2 advantage. Kurtz, however, righted the ship for the Mounts to tie it at 4-4 before Rhinier led Ephrata on a 17-4 run with some great serving to close out the match with a 25-12 victory.

In addition to Shultz and Rhinier, a pair of freshmen helped contribute to the win. Farlow collected a pair of blocks while Alex Modrzecki had a team-high 12 digs.

"Tonight was a good match where we could utilize some of the younger players," Witwer said. "It was nice for them to be able to show what they got."

Ephrata’s win came on the heels of an excellent showing this past weekend at the Reading Tournament where the Mounts placed third in the 16-team tournament. Their signature win in that tournament was a victory over previously unbeaten Schuylkill Valley.

"We exposed a team (Schuylkill Valley) that was 6-0 and gave them their first loss," Shultz said of the tournament. "We took out the best team and ended taking third place which was good."

And now Shultz and the Mounts hope to build upon that experience and use it as a spring board heading back into section play.

The Mounts (2-3) were slated to be in action Tuesday night at home against Penn Manor.

In addition to this week’s action, Ephrata was also on the court last Thursday where the Mounts dropped a 3-0 decision to Warwick.

All three games were tight with the Warriors capturing all of them by scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-19.

Shultz had 15 kills while Kurtz added three blocks to lead Ephrata in the loss. Rhinier also chipped in with a pair of aces.

Cocalico also was in action last Thursday and the Eagles scored a big 3-0 shutout victory over Conestoga Valley.

In the 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 win, Wes Rathman had a monster match with a match-high 20 kills to go with three aces. Mike Carty chipped in with two blocks for the winners.

The Eagles traveled to Conestoga Valley for a Section Two match Tuesday night. More VOLLEYBALL, page B-2